As we listen to Ohio State coach Jim Tressel at his news conference tonight announcing he was suspended two games and fined $250K for violating NCAA rules, I have four things to say:

Thank goodness for Tressel's sake that he won his last two BCS bowl games. Otherwise, this Buckeye merchandise-for-tattoo scandal -- and when Tressel knew about it (last April) -- easily could have cost him his job.

Second, this is a big disappointment. Even though Tressel's program got into trouble with the NCAA while coaching at Youngstown State, he seemed like a straight shooter.

Third, I can't imagine the NCAA will reduce the five-game suspensions for the six Buckeyes who were trading Ohio State clothing and rings for tattoos.

Finally, I bet the NCAA feels as if it was used after allowing those six Buckeyes to play in the Sugar Bowl in January, instead of immediately enforcing the suspensions.

Current Comments

He is still a straight shooter who made a mistake after being asked for confidentiality by an attorney. And he never would have been fired, regardless of his bowl record. Amazing how you know the inner mind of OSU officials.

Posted By: JayBee | Mar 8, 2011 7:40:54 PM

Dear Jaybee:
I never said it was 100 percent Tressel would have lost his job; I said he easily could have. So, agreed, I don't know Ohio State's inner workings, but I have an opinion, and that's my thought on the situation.
The main thing for this Penn State/Big Ten fan is that I actually like(d) the Buckeyes because I thought they were clean while they were winning. I also await the NCAA penalty, if any, for Tressel.

Posted By: Bill Kline | Mar 8, 2011 7:59:17 PM

It’s realistic – and quite likely – that the players were selling merchandise long before they were caught. The first time you get caught is rarely the first time you did something wrong.
But when Tressel and the school knew is a different matter. If that’s true, it seems like it would have come out when this all broke back in December, it’s not like OSU is a low-profile school with no media attention.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

It's great you PSU'ers have a coach who could NEVER be accused of cheating.
He doesn't own a computer, still has a crank phone, thinks twitter is whistling while you shave and the non remote television only views the Big Ten Channel.
The NCAA would believe him that there's too much dementia to comprehend how to cheat.

Posted By: Alex G. Bell | Mar 9, 2011 7:13:25 AM

Vest gate? Really? You're a goof ball.

Posted By: mickey | Mar 9, 2011 1:23:07 PM

Alex G Bell
Sure go and denegrate the PSU coach to justify the unethical behavior of Tressel. He knew about this back in April 2010. He deserves more punishment and I believe the NCAA will give him 4 conference games to sit out. So sit back and spew you hatred against a man who took a program to the highest level with dignity.

Posted By: Palmetto Jack | Mar 9, 2011 5:37:35 PM

Tressel should be suspended for most of the season. OSU has become the Miami of the big ten. Degenerates and thugs. Paterno would never have allowed it to get as far out of hand and would never have lied about it.

Posted By: johnny1 | Mar 9, 2011 6:25:48 PM

'THE' Ohio St. was THE shining star of the Big Ten.
There definitely should be sanctions against the coach and the program.
Ohio St. singlehandedly saved their conference from complete disaster by beating Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.
This should have never been able to take place, due to the fact these players should not have been eligible for that game.
Now, you lose your 'Rock of Granite', what's left----Clueless in Centre County and the Michigan Mess.
Not to worry, Nebraska will carry the mantle.
7 points in the bowl game against Washington who averaged giving up 50 a game.
At least the Nebraska team fits the Big Ten mantra of 3 yards and a .......dust.
All this cheating and mediocrity, Greasy Joe might look like a genius by default.